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The Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) – the governing body for Premier League has responded to the James Tarkowski incident.
Liverpool edged closer to a historic 20th league title with a contentious 1-0 victory over Everton in a Merseyside derby dominated by officiating controversies.
Diogo Jota’s 57th-minute strike proved decisive, but the match will be remembered for James Tarkowski’s reckless first-half challenge on Alexis Mac Allister – a moment that sparked widespread debate about VAR’s effectiveness in protecting player safety.
The game’s defining flashpoint occurred in the 11th minute when Tarkowski launched into a high, studs-up challenge that caught Mac Allister’s standing leg above the ankle.
Despite VAR reviewing the incident, referee Samuel Barrott’s yellow card decision stood – a judgment even Everton manager David Moyes later admitted was fortunate.
And it ‘s now emerged that the PGMOL has admitted, privately, that James Tarkowsi should have been sent off.
Taking to X, Sky Sports journalist Kaveh Solhekol has reported that PGMOL believe the decision should have been overturned and the Everton defender should have gotten a red card:
“PGMOL acknowledge that Everton defender James Tarkowski should have been issued with a red card in their fixture with Liverpool.”
“The challenge saw Tarkowski clearly play the ball initially, however, the nature of the follow-through met the threshold for serious foul play.”
“The referee felt the challenge was reckless in real time and the VAR then checked that on-field decision of a yellow card, deeming that the referee’s call was not a clear and obvious error.”
“However, the view of PGMOL is that a review should have been recommended and ultimately the original decision overturned.”
PGMOL acknowledge that Everton defender James Tarkowski should have been issued with a red card in their fixture with Liverpool. The challenge saw Tarkowski clearly play the ball initially, however, the nature of the follow-through met the threshold for serious foul play
The…
— Kaveh Solhekol (@SkyKaveh) April 3, 2025
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